The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo Sousa, said this Wednesday that he has not spoken with Miguel Albuquerque since it became known that several searches were being carried out in Madeira.
“As has been said in various proceedings by participants or perceived possible actors, justice must fulfill its function and mission, to investigate, and the investigation appears to be what it is, it does not have calendars related to politics, economics or other social issues. reality,” he emphasized.
Miguel Albuquerque, head of the regional government of Madeira, is suspected of corruption, economic involvement in business and malfeasance, as well as possible violation of community rules in the field of public procurement.
This Wednesday, three people were arrested as a result of the PS mega-operation: Pedro Calado, President of the Funchal City Council, Avelino Fariña, President of AFA and another leader of the construction team.
When asked if he believed that there was an atmosphere of unrest, the President of the Republic replied: “No, there is calm, institutional stability.”
The head of state did not want to comment on the possible scenario of the dissolution of the Regional Legislative Assembly of Madeira, similar to what was decided at the national level last November after the resignation of the Prime Minister, nor on the question of whether the executive director of the PSD/CDS-PP would be headed by Miguel Albuquerque can remain in his post.
“I am not going to speak out now on an issue that would imply, on the one hand, commenting on the electoral process, and on the other hand, linking it to the current election period or to the national political situation. I don’t think it makes sense,” he said when asked about the conditions of the regional government.
The media asked him whether there were double standards in terms of political consequences in the investigation against Prime Minister António Costa, which led to his resignation, as well as in the investigations that Miguel Albuquerque is now involved in.
Marcelo Rebelo de Souza refused to answer: “As you understand, I do not intend to comment on the processes or the position taken by those interfering or alleged to be interfering in these processes.”
When asked if he admits that he called the Attorney General of the Republic about investigations related to Madeira, he answered in the negative.
His main message in this regard was that ongoing investigations are normal, “for example, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week there may be judicial decisions on issues that relate to political figures of the past.”
For the president, this corresponds to “the operation of democracy in terms of the judicial function”, and there is no risk of mixing trials with the Azores regional election campaigns and legislative campaigns, since “the Portuguese are well aware that one should not be confused with the other.”
At the national level, the head of state noted that the government remains in power, administrative activities generally continue, and “the activities of the courts must continue, as well as the investigation under the jurisdiction of the prosecutor’s office.” “.
On the other hand, he referred to the protests and demands made in the period leading up to the expected legislative elections on March 10, “whether in the military sphere, whether in the security forces or in the economic, financial or social sphere.” “.
Marcelo Rebelo de Souza concluded that “it’s all part of the logic of things”, that “it’s all part of the normal life of a democracy” and “very natural”.
The President of the Republic was present at the Higher Technical Institute for the award ceremony of the Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo Prize.